I spoke to Andy Copping, and GN'R will not be at Download.

Benn wants GN'R at Leeds/Reading, so that is a possibility.

The one I am looking at is Sonisphere at Knebworth. There are a few things to consider here. Firstly, the vibe on their forum is pointing towards GN'R. Secondly, Sonispere is easier with bands who run late due to their licensing. Lastly, the festival is run by John Jackson who books all the tours for GN'R, and they will be looking for a big band this year after taking a year off. There are rumors this year that the festival is not taking place again, but I can confirm that, at this stage, the festival is still being worked on. And I also know that Sonishpere Italy are due to anounce soon, although I do not know anything at all about their line-up

There are rumblings that GN'R are headlining the second day of the Rockavaria Festival in Germany next May. Maybe someone who can speak German can look into it

One major promoter has tendered an interest in promoting a tour for a reformed GN'R, and are yet to receive a yay or nay. There are also two European festivals that are possibilities, one more likely than the other.

Stories reporting the story are based on people theorising what is happening rather than actual facts, or so it seems

I have not found anything to state there is an intention to reform as yet, and any activities could souly be based upon the hearsay of GN'R reforming i.e. promoters could be putting forward packages when there is nothing actually happening. It happens with ABBA all the time.

Noone ever suggested it was by GN'R, it is about what the piece was created for. When you look at external musicians that have added to GN'R's songs, the Beltramis and the Buckmasters of the world, even Brian May, they all have one thing in common, they have all released music through Universal. Here we have a piece of orchestration called Atlas Shrugged owned by Universal. If you look at alot of the Darkens work, they are simply named, usually after the instrument(s) that are in the piece. Why call something Atlas Shrugged, it seems odd. Anyway, I have not heard anything from either Darken. I'll try again this week. It will probably amount to nothing, but hey ho, no harm asking.

So, the name of note on this piece is actually Eric Darken, who is a composer and percussionist who has recorded with alot of big names. The one question is, has he worked on any unreleased GN'R material

I will get someone to contact him, and I will report back later.